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Subject: [CASANFRA] JIC Bio of Cashin (Cable Cars)
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 19:57:32 EST

JOURNALISM IN CALIFORNIA

BY JOHN P. YOUNG

Pacific Coast and Exposition Biographies

CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY
San Francisco, California
1915

Page 227

Great Men and Great Men's Achievements
Form the Background for
California's Progress

Page 246
Thomas A. Cashin

On December 28, 1912, when the first street car was operated on the Geary
street line of the Municipal Railways, the new traction enterprises boasted
of but 10.90 miles of single track roadway, 9 cars and 56 employees of all
kinds. During the four remaining days of the first month the receipts
totaled $3,300.60.
On July 1, 1915, a little more than two years and half later, the
Municipal Railways was operating over about 44 miles of single track, and had
168 large type and 29 small type cars and 850 employees of all classes. The
first four days of the month brought into the corporation's coffers
$26,096.50.
When one considers that the Municipal Railway system was placed almost at
once on a paying basis under the management of Superintendent Thomas A.
Cashin, there is reflected on Mr. Cashin not a little honor and credit. In
fact the success of the municipal enterprise, which has attracted world-wide
attention, is attributed in a large degree to Superintendent Cashin's
practical experience and his unremitting efforts toward enlargement and
betterment of the city of San Francisco's project.
Thomas A. Cashin is a native of San Francisco. He was born here June 19,
1879, the son of D'Arcy M. Cashin, mining promoter and at one time engaged in
the ice and cold storage business, and of Kate E. (Taylor) Cashin. Mr.
Cashin attended the grammar schools, the Boys' High School and the
Polytechnic High School, afterward studying law in the office off A. P. Van
Duzer. This was in 1897.
A better opportunity then presenting itself, Mr. Cashin went with the old
Market Street Railway Company in the capacity of stenographer and timekeeper
in the maintenance of way and construction department. From this he went
into the accounting department, later becoming material clerk in charge of
all materials, and finally became assistant engineer of way and construction.
In 1909 another opportunity for advancement was placed before him. This
was the superintendency of the Fresno Traction Company at Fresno, California,
and Mr. Cashin accepted. Here his capability and progressiveness manifested
itself and he soon had gained an enviable reputation as a practical director
of street railway affairs. The result was that when the Municipal Railways
of San Francisco became a reality, railway experts recommended Mr. Cashin as
superintendent and he was appointed such October 7, 1912.
And let it be said here that the appointment was not involved with
politics in any way. Mr. Cashin is a Republican but he is not a politician.
He stood on his record, as he stands today, was chosen for the place from
among six aspirants and at the time of is appointment knew none of the
Supervisors nor was he acquainted even with Mayor Rolph.
Starting in with practically nothing, Superintendent Cashin has built up
the Municipal Railways in a remarkable manner. In the first year of its
operation the Geary street road paid into the city treasury the total profit
above all expenditures of $85,345.80.
The Geary street line, which originally ran from Geary and Market streets
to 33rd avenue and Geary and to 10th avenue and Fulton, was extended to the
ferry and to the beach. Then was added the Van Ness avenue line to the
exposition, then the Stockton street line, the Columbus avenue, the Presidio
and Ferries, the California street and the Chestnut street, the skirting the
exposition.
San Francisco's Municipal Railways probably hold the record in the United
States for rapid and substantial growth. Today the road is in a healthy
financial condition, and in, fact I has never known a deficit. Its accounts
are kept absolutely according to the system prescribed by the Interstate
Commerce Commission and approved by the State Railway Commission, and it is
run on a strictly civil service basis. After indicating what the road would
pay in taxes and other expenses if privately owned, it is till shown that it
is making money. Already it has redeemed $101,000 worth of its outstanding
bonds.
Mr. Cashin, the superintendent, belongs to the Elks, The Fresno Sequoia Club
and the Indoor Yacht, Transportation and Olympic Clubs of San Francisco. He
is unmarried.

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